Only buy prescription medications online if your doctor has already diagnosed your condition and prescribed the medication. Taking prescription medications without the advice of your doctor puts you at risk for adverse reactions and dangerous drug interactions. When prescribing a medication, your doctor considers a number of factors, including:

Websites that sell medications online without a prescription are not reputable. This includes sites that ask you to fill out a questionnaire in lieu of a prescription. Such a questionnaire is not a substitute for careful evaluation by your doctor.

You can check with the
http://www.nabp.net/
(NABP)
to find out if a site meets state and federal requirements. Some sites even display the NABP seal of approval for Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS).

Beware of Unreasonable Claims

Do not buy a drug from a site that makes outrageous claims about "amazing results," "a new cure," or a "cure all." It sounds cliché, but if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you think that you need a certain medication, talk to your doctor first.

Buy Only From US-Based Sites

Companies outside of the US are not regulated in the same way that US companies are. Although it may be a reputable company, you have no way of confirming that. Within the US, companies that sell drugs online can obtain a seal of approval from the NABP. You can also contact the NABP to check on a particular site. In addition, generally it is illegal to import the drugs you buy from a foreign site, and the US government may not be able to help you if you have a reaction or get ripped off.

Online medication prices are not always better than prices in a regular drugstore. Call your local pharmacy and ask how much the drug costs and compare that to the online price. Also, make sure that the pharmacy is covered by your health insurance plan. In many states, drug stores are required to dispense generic drugs, which can save you money.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to
be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or
with questions regarding a medical condition. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding
the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebscohost.com.
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